Let's use an Iphone from Tmobile as an example. It is 743 NZD at the time of me writing this, once you add postage 20 dollar postage (unsure of the exact amount) and the 150 dollars customs charges you, it isn't worth it (especially once you consider warranties etc). So is this the hard reality of importing technology, or do you have any tips to make it worthwhile?

For me it depends on price, for an apple product I would not do it as you are not saving that much once you get hit with tax and if something goes wrong you can't just take it to an apple store or retailer.Plus you run the chance of it being locked to a network (iphone).

If i need a cheap low end product I will look overseas as long as it falls under the GST limits etc. For tech more than 200/300 I will try and get from store.Most of the time if a product cost higher than $500 you can just tell the sales person at the store you are not paying their asking price and for them to come back with a better number. If they do then it great, if they don't I walk out and try another store, if none of them will I wait for a sale :)

If I can't get the product i want from NZ store then I will look at other products for a match, otherwise I will hit up amazon or another site.